US3554141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding table
Assignee: HOWE FOLDING FURNITURE Inc
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Filing: 1968-08-20
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A table top having depending side aprons is provided with folding and support means, each comprising a subassembly of two legs and an interconnecting stretcher-end apron, which are floatingly mounted between brackets depending from the top by pin and slot means and are controlled by the disposition of the pins and slots and by coacting spring means to cause the end assemblies to abut against the ends of the side aprons when unfolded and to swing away from the top and move inwardly of the top to lie wholly within the perimeter of the top and superimposed on the side aprons when folded, or, if the legs of the two subassemblies are too long relative to the length of the top to be folded into the same plane, with the legs of one end assembly superimposed on the side aprons and with the legs of the other end assembly superimposed upon them. Hooklike members projecting from inward extensions of the legs of each subassembly partly encircle a crossbar as the subassembly is moved from folded to unfolded position, and press against it, to provide an automatic lock, and eccentric pivot means rotatably supporting the crossbar provides increased locking pressure when the bar is rotated, the spring means and the pivot means coacting to resist inadvertent rotation of the crossbar in an unlocking direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Carleton Burr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B7/00; A47B7/02; A47B3/00; A47B3/08; A47B3/0809; A47B3/0815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A folding table comprising a top, two end support assemblies each comprising two legs and an interconnecting stretcher, and pin and slot means for floatingly mounting the assemblies under the table top, the stretchers serving as end aprons when the table is in unfolded position, and side apron members depending from the top along its sides respectively, and each extending into aligned, abutting relation with one leg of each end support assembly when said legs are in unfolded position, and serving as support means on the undersurface of which said legs are superimposed in folded position, means including said pin and slot means for supporting the assemblies for swinging movement between an unfolded position in which the assemblies are substantially normal to the plane of the top And disposed under the corners of the top with the legs in abutting relation to the respective ends of the apron side members, and a folded position in which the assemblies are disposed within the perimeter of the top in a plane substantially parallel with the top with the legs superimposed over, and resting on, the under surface of the said side apron members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A folding table comprising a top, two end support assemblies each comprising two legs and an interconnecting stretcher, and pin and slot means for floatingly mounting the assemblies under the table top, the stretchers serving as end aprons when the table is in unfolded position, and side apron members depending from the top along its sides respectively, and each extending into aligned, abutting relation with one leg of each end support assembly when said legs are in unfolded position, and serving as support means on the undersurface of which said legs are superimposed in folded position, means including said pin and slot means for supporting the assemblies for swinging movement between an unfolded position in which the assemblies are substantially normal to the plane of the top And disposed under the corners of the top with the legs in abutting relation to the respective ends of the apron side members, and a folded position in which the assemblies are disposed within the perimeter of the top in a plane substantially parallel with the top with the legs superimposed over, and resting on, the under surface of the said side apron members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including spring means interconnected between the table top and each end support assembly, said spring means being disposed in relation to the pin and slot interconnection to provide a toggle action for controlling the position of the pin means within the slot means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the end support assemblies comprise plates projecting inwardly from the legs respectively, the plates are slotted with slots extending at right angles to the legs respectively, and the pins which engage the slots are supported below the top along its respective lateral edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 3 including spring means interconnected between the said plates and the table top and acting to initially resist folding and unfolding of the end support assemblies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The structure claimed in claim 4 in which the said plates define reentry grooves extending inwardly of the plate at an angle and widening inwardly from a narrow mouth between two opposed portions of the plate one of which extends outwardly beyond the other and is hook-shaped, and lock bars are provided below the table top adjacent its respective ends and disposed to be encircled and frictionally engaged by the hook members of said plates respectively as the end support assemblies are moved to unfolded position thus locking the end support assemblies in unfolded position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the lower corners of the ends of the side aprons coact with the pin and slot mounting of the end support assemblies to provide fulcrum points around which the said assemblies are first lifted away from the table top and then moved inwardly of the table top.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including locking bar means adjacent the ends of the top, means for mounting said bar means beneath the top, and hook-shaped means movable with said assemblies respectively from a folded position in which they are remote from said bar means to an unfolded position in which they frictionally engage the bar means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure claimed in claim 7, in which means are provided for eccentrically mounting the locking bar means, and other means are provided for rotating the eccentrically mounted locking bar means to cause them to move along the inner edge of the hook-shaped means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 8 including spring means interconnected between the plates and the locking bars for first opposing and then aiding folding and unfolding of the end support assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including slotted plates projecting from the legs of said assemblies respectively and pins projecting into said slots respectively from pin supporting means depending from the table top for floating supporting the assembly from the table top.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
162 words
A folding table comprising a top, brackets depending from the top along its lateral edges adjacent the ends of the top, end support assemblies each comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a stretcher, plates projecting inwardly from adjacent the top of the legs respectively, plate mounting pins projecting inwardly from said brackets the said plate having slots in which said pins are respectively received to floatingly mount the end assemblies for movement between an unfolded position normal to the top and a folded position in which they are disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the top, and camming means disposed in abutting relation to said legs and coacting with the pin and slot mounting of the assemblies as the assemblies are moved from unfolded to folded position to first lift the assemblies away from the under surface of the table top and then move them inwardly of the table top into a plane parallel with the table top.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A folding table comprising a top, brackets depending from the top along its lateral edges adjacent the ends of the top, end support assemblies each comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a stretcher, plates projecting inwardly from adjacent the top of the legs respectively, plate mounting pins projecting inwardly from said brackets the said plate having slots in which said pins are respectively received to floatingly mount the end assemblies for movement between an unfolded position normal to the top and a folded position in which they are disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the top, and camming means disposed in abutting relation to said legs and coacting with the pin and slot mounting of the assemblies as the assemblies are moved from unfolded to folded position to first lift the assemblies away from the under surface of the table top and then move them inwardly of the table top into a plane parallel with the table top.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure claimed in claim 11 in which the length of the slots in said plates is greater than the width of said legs to permit the legs of one end assembly to be folded into one plane parallel to the plane of the top and to permit the legs of another end assembly to be folded into another plane parallel to the plane of the top and superimposed over the legs of the first mentioned assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The structure claimed in claim 11 in which locking bar means are provided adjacent the ends of the top and the locking bar means are mounted eccentrically on J-pivot pins, the longer arms of the J-members being pivotally supported in mounting means depending from the table top and the shorter arms of the J-members being connected to the plates groove defining means by extensible spring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |